Stellantis remains France's top patent filer in 2025: Innovation drives the future

The year 2025 will undoubtedly be remembered as a major transition period for the Stellantis group. Marked by mixed financial results and losses during the fiscal year, the company could have chosen a more cautious path. However, the figures released by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) tell a completely different story: one of a fierce determination to prepare for the future. For the third consecutive year, Stellantis has established itself as the leading patent filer in France. This title is more than just a symbolic award; it demonstrates that, despite the turbulence, the group continues to invest heavily in research and, more importantly, chooses to do so within French territory. This long-term strategy highlights the importance of national engineering in designing the vehicles that will soon be driving on our roads.

A confirmed leadership with 1,294 patents filed in 2025

The annual INPI ranking once again places Stellantis on the top step of the podium with an impressive total of 1,294 patents filed in France alone. This performance illustrates a constant drive for innovation, aiming to transform automotive mobility to make it safer, more sustainable, and more affordable. Protecting these inventions through intellectual property is a major strategic lever for the group, ensuring a competitive advantage in an industry undergoing rapid technological change.

Among the flagship projects that mobilized the research and development teams in 2025, Level 4 autonomous driving holds a prominent position. Work focused on the AV Ready PlateformTM, a software and hardware architecture designed to serve as the basis for competitive future robotaxis. To advance this technology, the group intensified its collaborations with tech and mobility giants such as Nvidia, Uber, and Bolt. Another strong focus involves satellite communication, with technical solutions allowing satellite antennas to be integrated into vehicles while respecting automotive aerodynamic and aesthetic constraints. Finally, electrical storage and conversion were the subject of major filings, notably through the IBIS (Intelligent Battery Integrated System) project. This cutting-edge technology makes batteries more efficient and cost-effective, marking a decisive step forward for the range of future electric models.

To better understand the scope of these innovations, it should be noted that the patents are evenly distributed across three fundamental technical areas:

• Electronics and Software: With 400 filings, this sector covers electronic architectures, infotainment systems, connectivity, and L2+ autonomous driving software.

• Powertrain and Charging: This field generated 427 patents, focusing on the integration of power units and simplifying the charging experience for the end user.

• Chassis and Equipment: Representing 467 patents, this category includes structural innovations such as the integration of the airbag on the HypersquareTM steering wheel, a disruptive technology to be launched soon.

France as a strategic pillar of global Research and Development

While Stellantis is a group with global ambitions, its scientific roots in France remain the foundation of its ingenuity. The filings made with the INPI represent approximately half of the group's initial patent filings worldwide. This statistic highlights the central role of French technical centers in designing the future of Citroën and the other brands in the portfolio. This efficiency is based on a particularly dense collaborative ecosystem, structured around more than 40 academic partnerships including renowned universities and research institutes.

The research organization also relies on ten Open Labs, which act as real-world testing grounds, as well as a strategic partnership with the CEA (Atomic Energy Commission). In addition to these structures, Stellantis leverages the agility of startups through its Stellantis Ventures entity. Since 2022, no fewer than 74 technological demonstrators have been developed, allowing for the rapid testing of innovative solutions before large-scale industrialization. This ability to transform a theoretical idea into a concrete industrial solution is the true strength of the French organization.

Regarding this, Anne Laliron, Head of Innovation at Stellantis, emphasizes the strength of this model:

"In France, Stellantis relies on particularly robust R&D, powerful collaborative ecosystems, and a unique ability to transform research into concrete solutions. This daily commitment of men and women constitutes one of the essential strengths on which the company relies to offer new solutions that contribute to transforming the use of the automobile for our customers."

Conclusion: Innovation as a compass despite the challenges

The year 2025 was not a smooth ride for Stellantis. The group had to navigate an uncertain economic context while managing a delicate managerial transition following the departure of Carlos Tavares and the anticipation of the new leadership under Antonio Filosa. However, these challenges did not dampen the will to innovate. By maintaining its position as the top patent filer in France, Stellantis proves that innovation remains its best response to crises. More than a statistical performance, this technological dominance reaffirms that France holds a preponderant share in the group's future. For fans of the brand with the chevrons, it is a reassuring sign that French expertise continues to set the pace for tomorrow's mobility.